The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most exciting cricket tournaments in the world. Started in 2008, it has become very popular and valuable. IPL 2026 is the 19th season of this league, featuring top players from around the globe. Fans eagerly wait every year to enjoy fast-paced T20 matches, thrilling finishes, and strong team rivalries across different cities in India.
When will IPL 2026 Take Place?
IPL 2026 will begin on March 28, 2026, and continue until May 31, 2026. The tournament will run for over two months, offering daily entertainment for cricket lovers.
IPL 2026 Format
The tournament will follow a double round-robin format. This means each of the 10 teams will play against other teams twice—once at home and once away.
After the league stage:
- The top 4 teams will qualify for the playoffs
- The top 2 teams will play Qualifier 1 (winner goes directly to final)
- Teams ranked 3rd and 4th will play the Eliminator
- The winner of Eliminator will face the loser of Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2
- The winner of Qualifier 2 will enter the final
IPL 2026 Venues
IPL 2026 matches will be played across 13 stadiums in India. The opening match will be held in Bengaluru.
Some major venues include:
- Mumbai
- Kolkata
- Chennai
- Delhi
- Ahmedabad
- Jaipur
- Lucknow
- Hyderabad
- Dharamsala
- Guwahati
- Raipur
- Mullanpur
Teams, Captions and Coaches
Here is the list of teams, captions and coaches of IPL 2026:
| Team | Caption | Coach |
| Chennai Super Kings | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Stephen Fleming |
| Delhi Capitals | Axar Patel | Hemang Badani |
| Gujarat Titans | Shubman Gill | Ashish Nehra |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Ajinkya Rahane | Abhishek Nayar |
| Lucknow Super Giants | Rishabh Pant | Justin Langer |
| Mumbai Indians | Hardik Pandya | Mahela Jayawardene |
| Punjab Kings | Shreyas Iyer | Ricky Ponting |
| Rajasthan Royals | Riyan Parag | Kumar Sangakkara |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Rajat Patidar | Andy Flower |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | Ishan Kishan / Pat Cummins | Daniel Vettori |
IPL 2026 Match Timing
Matches will be played at two main time slots:
- Afternoon: 3:30 PM IST
- Evening: 7:30 PM IST
IPL 2026 Full Schedule (First 20 Matches)
The first 20 matches of IPL 2026 bring exciting clashes between top teams, giving fans an early look at team form, rivalries, and thrilling T20 cricket action.
Here is the complete list of first 20 matches of IPL 2026:
| S. No. | Date | Match | Venue | Time |
| 1. | Mar 28 | RCB vs SRH | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| 2. | Mar 29 | MI vs KKR | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| 3. | Mar 30 | RR vs CSK | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 4. | Mar 31 | PBKS vs GT | Mullanpur | 7:30 PM |
| 5. | Apr 1 | LSG vs DC | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| 6. | Apr 2 | KKR vs SRH | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 7. | Apr 3 | CSK vs PBKS | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 8. | Apr 4 | DC vs MI | Delhi | 3:30 PM |
| 9. | Apr 4 | GT vs RR | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| 10. | Apr 5 | SRH vs LSG | Hyderabad | 3:30 PM |
| 11. | Apr 5 | RCB vs CSK | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| 12. | Apr 6 | KKR vs PBKS | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 13. | Apr 7 | RR vs MI | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 14. | Apr 8 | DC vs GT | Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| 15. | Apr 9 | KKR vs LSG | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 16. | Apr 10 | RR vs RCB | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 17. | Apr 11 | PBKS vs SRH | Mullanpur | 3:30 PM |
| 18. | Apr 11 | CSK vs DC | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 19. | Apr 12 | LSG vs GT | Lucknow | 3:30 PM |
| 20. | Apr 12 | MI vs RCB | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
Opening Match Details
The first match of IPL 2026 will be played between: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Date: March 28, 2026
- Venue: Bengaluru
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
Where is the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait Locate...
Which Country has the Cheapest Petrol in...
Olympics Transgender Ban 2028: IOC Rules...
